Plaid to boost mental health funding to address 'unacceptable' waits

Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood has today pledged that a Welsh government under her leadership would boost mental health funding in order to address the "unacceptable" waits facing many people needing treatment.

Figures published today show that some people are waiting up to four years to see a specialist.

Leanne Wood said that a Plaid Cymru government would increase mental health spending by £68m per year by 2021 in order to address the "chronic underfunding" of services.

Party of Wales leader Leanne Wood said:

"The waiting times for specialist mental health services currently facing many people in Wales are unacceptable.

"That is why a Plaid Cymru government would commit to increasing spending on mental health service by £68m per year by 2021 in order to address the chronic underfunding currently hampering provision.

"This additional funding would allow us to improve access to trained counsellors and therapists in the community. We would also ensure that every community should have reasonable access to provision of emergency mental health care beds and no police cell should be used for this purpose.

"A Party of Wales government would also fund research into additional therapeutic models of treatment to widen choice and take away the 'one size fits all' approach.

"Plaid Cymru will aim to ensure that Wales becomes a world leader in the rehabilitation and treatment of those with eating disorders, by establishing a specialist residential centre for people with eating disorders.

"We support the 'Time to change' campaign against prejudice and discrimination towards those with Mental Health problems. We will work with employers to ensure that support services are available for employees with Mental Health problems with the aim of ensuring people obtain and are supported to stay in employment when experiencing problems.

"Plaid Cymru is committed to ending the stigma surrounding mental health and improving access to services for those who need treatment, when and where they need it."